Levon Ter-Petrossian born on January 9, 1945, in Aleppo. Immigrated to Armenia
in 1946.

In 1968, Ter-Petrossian graduated from the Oriental Studies Department of the
Yerevan State University. In 1971, he completed his postgraduate studies at the
Leningrad Oriental Studies Institute. In 1972, he completed his master's thesis.
In 1987, he received his doctoral degree. In 1972-1978, Ter-Petrossian worked as
junior researcher at the Literature Institute of Armenia named after A. M.
Abeghian. In 1978-1985, he held a post of a science secretary at Matenadaran
named after Mashtots. Since 1985, Ter-Petrossian have been working at
Matenadaran as a senior researcher.

He is the author of more than 70 scientific publications in Armenian, Russian
and French. He is also a member of the Armenian Writers' Union, the French Asian
Society, the Venice Mkhitarian Academy and an Honorary Doctor of La Verne
University.

Ter-Petrossian's political career started in the 1960s. In February 1988, he led
Matenadaran's "Karabakh" committee. In May of the same year, he became involved
with the Armenian Committee of the Karabakh movement. From December 10, 1988, to
May 31, 1989, he was under arrest together with other members of the "Karabakh"
committee.

In 1989, Ter-Petrossian was elected Member of the Board of the Armenian National
Movement. Later on, he became the Chairman of the Board.

On August 27, 1989, he was elected as deputy of the Supreme Soviet of the
Armenian SSR. He was re-elected as deputy on May 20, 1990. On August 4 of the
same year, he became Chairman of the Supreme Soviet of the Republic of Armenia.

Levon Ter-Petrossian was elected the first President of the Republic of Armenia
on October 16, 1991. Re-elected on September 22, 1996. Resigned in February,
1998.